2005 xc90 2.5T drives like a bounce house

[chitownV]

When you know the answer, but ask the forum just in case there’s a slim chance it’s something else, lol.

[MoVolvos]

Thought you guys might enjoy this. This is my 850 compared to my xc90. Both have original factory suspension.

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All 3 of you are suspended ?
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[ZionXIX]

I installed the new Sachs rear shocks today. The difference is night and day. I ordered the nivomat conversion kit from FCP but I could not remove the old springs. I disconnected the sway bar end links, the trailing arms and that bar on the backside. I even tried my spring compressors but they would not fit in that space. I saw one video where the guy used a small bottle jack to push against the bump stop for more clearance but I don't have anything like. I just left the old springs in place. Now wondering if I can send the new ones back since it was part of a kit.

[MoVolvos]

I installed the new Sachs rear shocks today. The difference is night and day. I ordered the nivomat conversion kit from FCP but I could not remove the old springs. I disconnected the sway bar end links, the trailing arms and that bar on the backside. I even tried my spring compressors but they would not fit in that space. I saw one video where the guy used a small bottle jack to push against the bump stop for more clearance but I don't have anything like. I just left the old springs in place. Now wondering if I can send the new ones back since it was part of a kit.

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The Nivomat has much more damping than normal shocks and also acts as a helper spring. You must install the new springs which has greater rate to match the normal shocks. You can check with FCP whether they will warranty the shocks if you don't install the springs let alone allow you to return them.
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[ZionXIX]

I installed the new Sachs rear shocks today. The difference is night and day. I ordered the nivomat conversion kit from FCP but I could not remove the old springs. I disconnected the sway bar end links, the trailing arms and that bar on the backside. I even tried my spring compressors but they would not fit in that space. I saw one video where the guy used a small bottle jack to push against the bump stop for more clearance but I don't have anything like. I just left the old springs in place. Now wondering if I can send the new ones back since it was part of a kit.

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The Nivomat has much more damping than normal shocks and also acts as a helper spring. You must install the new springs which has greater rate to match the normal shocks. You can check with FCP whether they will warranty the shocks if you don't install the springs let alone allow you to return them.
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That doesn't really solve my problem. How do I get the old springs out?
Luckily FCP doesn't ask questions about how you installed your parts. If you order it and send back the old part, they warranty it no questions asked.

[ZionXIX]

OK guys, i read through cn90's rear suspension rebuild guide. It look like he dropped the lower control arm to get the springs out. I was really hoping not to do that. **sigh** That may be for another day.

viewtopic.php?t=92099

[MoVolvos]

I installed the new Sachs rear shocks today. The difference is night and day. I ordered the nivomat conversion kit from FCP but I could not remove the old springs. I disconnected the sway bar end links, the trailing arms and that bar on the backside. I even tried my spring compressors but they would not fit in that space. I saw one video where the guy used a small bottle jack to push against the bump stop for more clearance but I don't have anything like. I just left the old springs in place. Now wondering if I can send the new ones back since it was part of a kit.

.
The Nivomat has much more damping than normal shocks and also acts as a helper spring. You must install the new springs which has greater rate to match the normal shocks. You can check with FCP whether they will warranty the shocks if you don't install the springs let alone allow you to return them.
.

That doesn't really solve my problem. How do I get the old springs out?
Luckily FCP doesn't ask questions about how you installed your parts. If you order it and send back the old part, they warranty it no questions asked.

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Thought you were going to leave the old springs in permanently and try to return the new springs. Glad you found a tutorial to help install the new springs.
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[nedc]

I posted this on the first page but here it is again concerning springs:

"I also have a 2005 xc90 2.5t fwd and after doing some front end suspension work (control arms, struts, etc.) it still had a 'nervous' kind of jittery feel to me. If you put 2-300 lbs. in the rear hatch area, it actually rode better. What I did was replace the nivomats with 'regular' shocks- and you don't need to change the springs contrary to what I had read. I had the springs for the regular shocks but they were exactly like the nivo springs, so I left the nivo springs in. Rides much better and more controlled. We very rarely carry rear passengers or heavy loads, so I don't miss the nivomats."

[MoVolvos]

I posted this on the first page but here it is again concerning springs:

"I also have a 2005 xc90 2.5t fwd and after doing some front end suspension work (control arms, struts, etc.) it still had a 'nervous' kind of jittery feel to me. If you put 2-300 lbs. in the rear hatch area, it actually rode better. What I did was replace the nivomats with 'regular' shocks- and you don't need to change the springs contrary to what I had read. I had the springs for the regular shocks but they were exactly like the nivo springs, so I left the nivo springs in. Rides much better and more controlled. We very rarely carry rear passengers or heavy loads, so I don't miss the nivomats."

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Your info is very helpful. Springs can look the same in every way including thickness and number of coils but have different rates. Back in the late 70's we could order custom coils with specific spring rates to lower cars. They will take the older to test and them you can decide the new rate. You can even order progressive rate coil and they were cheap.

That being said you confirmed what I was saying about the Nivo having a lower rate. The lower rate Nivo is causing the jittery as it oscillates much quicker than it should with the unsprung weight and the shocks aren't able to keep up with the fast oscillation. When you load the rear with weight it compresses the coils so it is loaded and will not oscillate as fast up and down. The regular (new) springs have a higher rate so will control the unsprung weight much better (less oscillation) in conjunction with the damping of the new shocks.
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[chitownV]

The springs paired with the Nivomat depend on which year, engine, and trim/package you have. The springs can be Sport springs without Sport Nivomat or they can be mid rated springs available on the XC90. Self-leveling, pumping back to normal ride height range, is different than shock rates (compression & rebound).

The best way to know what spring is there is to decode the suspension tag. Should be behind the passenger side door B-pillar. My 3.2 with 3rd row/Nivomat came with Sport springs on all 4 corners along with Sport swaybars. As a 2008, R-design was not yet an option and the 3.2 didn’t have a Sport option. For rear Nivomat replacement, I personally would have gone with Bilstein B4 Touring rear shocks since people are reporting the Sachs can be under damped. Sachs will be better than blown shocks, which may have been caused by the broken bump stop.

Remember that Nivomat/336mm brakes was included in the Versatility 3rd row package until 2009 for non-V8s. Only R-design 2010+ got Sport “65” Nivomats, but all XC90s 2010+ were standard with 3rd row (in US). V8s came standard with the Versatility package. Sport V8 also with Sport “65” Nivomats.

Decoding just a few XC90 2.5t suspension tags, I would be more concerned with the 2.5t because it had available lower rated springs not seen (or perhaps not often) being used in the 3.2, and not seen at all in the V8s.